• Although the term ‘rapture’ is not found in the Bible, the doctrine is based on Scripture
• The term “Rapture” derives from the Latin verb ‘Rapere‘, meaning ‘to carry off‘ or ‘to catch up‘
• The doctrine of the Rapture is part of the area of Biblical study described as ‘Eschatology’
• Eschatology is a part of theology that is concerned with the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity.
• Eschatology is derived from the Greek word ‘éschatos’ meaning “the study of last end-time events”. Thus, this concept is commonly referred to as “the end of the world” or “end times”.
• Rapture can thus be defined as: “An event in eschatology in which believers in Christ will be taken up to heaven either prior to or at the Second Coming. Rapture consists of an end-time event when all Christian believers who are alive, along with resurrected believers, will rise “in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air”.

Important eschatological differentiations:

• Rapture: “Meet the Lord in the air”. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
• Second Coming: “His feet shall stand upon the mount of Olives”. Zechariah 14:3-4. He comes to defeat the Anti-Christ and establish His Kingdom.
• Tribulation: “tribulation and anguish” are the corrective sufferings that shall overtake the wicked (Romans 2:9)
• Day of Wrath

Primary Scriptures	1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54
What happens at the Rapture?	1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:52;